Strive Financial Group LLC Decreases Stake in Costco Wholesale Corporation $COST

Key Points

• Strive Financial Group LLC cut its Costco stake by 73.4% in the second quarter, selling 1,460 shares and retaining 530 shares worth approximately $496,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds collectively own 68.48% of Costco’s stock.
• Analyst sentiment remains broadly positive, with 22 Buy ratings, 12 Holds, and one Sell rating, producing a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating and an average price target of $1,056.03. However, Weiss Ratings downgraded the stock to Hold.
• Costco shares opened at $904.77, below their 50-day and 200-day moving averages, while the company maintains a quarterly dividend of $1.47 per share, representing a 0.6% yield and a 29.58% payout ratio.

Strive Financial Group LLC lessened its stake in Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST - Free Report) by 73.4% in the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 530 shares of the retailer's stock after selling 1,460 shares during the quarter. Strive Financial Group LLC's holdings in Costco Wholesale were worth $496,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in COST. Invested Advisors boosted its holdings in Costco Wholesale by 2.3% during the second quarter. Invested Advisors now owns 666 shares of the retailer's stock worth $623,000 after buying an additional 15 shares in the last quarter. Munich Reinsurance Co Stock Corp in Munich purchased a new position in Costco Wholesale in the second quarter valued at about $141,000. Elevation Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Costco Wholesale by 4.8% during the 2nd quarter. Elevation Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,130 shares of the retailer's stock valued at $1,057,000 after acquiring an additional 52 shares during the period. Plan A Wealth LLC boosted its stake in shares of Costco Wholesale by 8.1% during the 2nd quarter. Plan A Wealth LLC now owns 1,138 shares of the retailer's stock worth $1,065,000 after acquiring an additional 85 shares in the last quarter. Finally, BAM Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Costco Wholesale by 241.4% during the 2nd quarter. BAM Wealth Management LLC now owns 990 shares of the retailer's stock worth $926,000 after acquiring an additional 700 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 68.48% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages recently issued reports on COST. TD Cowen reaffirmed a "buy" rating and set a $1,175.00 price objective on shares of Costco Wholesale in a report on Wednesday, June 3rd. Mizuho set a $1,100.00 target price on Costco Wholesale in a report on Monday, June 1st. Weiss Ratings cut Costco Wholesale from a "buy (b-)" rating to a "hold (c+)" rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 2nd. HC Wainwright reaffirmed a "buy" rating on shares of Costco Wholesale in a research note on Monday, June 1st. Finally, Bank of America increased their price objective on shares of Costco Wholesale from $1,185.00 to $1,200.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, May 29th. Twenty-two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, twelve have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $1,056.03.

Costco Wholesale Stock Performance

NASDAQ COST opened at $904.77 on Friday. Costco Wholesale Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $844.06 and a fifty-two week high of $1,096.50. The stock has a market cap of $401.25 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 45.51, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.76 and a beta of 0.86. The business has a fifty day moving average of $940.09 and a 200-day moving average of $974.50. The company has a quick ratio of 0.61, a current ratio of 1.07 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17.

Costco Wholesale Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 7th. Shareholders of record on Friday, July 24th were paid a dividend of $1.47 per share. This represents a $5.88 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, July 24th. Costco Wholesale's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 29.58%.

Insider Activity at Costco Wholesale

In other news, Director Kenneth Denman sold 885 shares of Costco Wholesale stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $957.45, for a total transaction of $847,343.25. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 4,779 shares in the company, valued at $4,575,653.55. The trade was a 15.62% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. 0.10% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Key Costco Wholesale News

Here are the key news stories impacting Costco Wholesale this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Costco’s recent August and fourth-quarter fiscal 2026 sales results supported an analyst upgrade from “hold” to “buy,” accompanied by a $1,030 price target. The data were viewed as evidence of resilient consumer demand and improving visibility into retail trends. Analyst upgrade following sales reports
• Positive Sentiment: Several analysts maintain substantially higher targets, including targets of $1,100 to $1,200, arguing that Costco’s membership model, recurring sales, and execution could support further valuation upside. Costco price prediction
• Positive Sentiment: Coverage highlights Costco’s ability to compete with Walmart and Amazon, while planned warehouse openings—including a reported $42 million Texas development and additional U.S. and Canadian locations—could expand its membership and sales base. Costco competition and growth
• Positive Sentiment: An Accenture survey suggests consumers may begin holiday shopping unusually early and spend more than in 2025, a potentially favorable backdrop for Costco’s seasonal merchandise and grocery sales. Holiday shopping outlook
• Neutral Sentiment: Brokerage coverage remains favorable overall, with Costco carrying an average “Moderate Buy” rating, but the stock’s elevated valuation means continued earnings and sales growth may be required to justify further gains. Costco brokerage rating
• Neutral Sentiment: New warehouse projects and relocations should support long-term expansion, although local traffic concerns around one planned location could delay or complicate development. Lee’s Summit Costco development
• Negative Sentiment: Costco shares have closed lower for eight consecutive sessions, raising concerns about a technical or valuation-driven correction despite strong operating results.
• Negative Sentiment: Recent insider activity consisted of two sales and no purchases, while reports that Costco is rationing motor oil point to potential product-availability and supply-chain pressures.

About Costco Wholesale

Costco Wholesale Corporation operates membership-based warehouse clubs that offer a broad selection of merchandise at generally competitive prices. Its product range includes groceries, fresh foods, apparel, appliances, electronics, furniture, jewelry, hardware, and seasonal goods, along with private-label products sold under the Kirkland Signature brand.

The company also provides a variety of ancillary services, including gasoline stations, pharmacies, optical centers, hearing-aid centers, food courts, tire centers, and travel services.

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